Review : Sworks Prevail vs Giro Attack Shield

bernithebiker

Sworks Prevail 2011 - 2014

Paid £125. Very light (210g in M) and comfortable. Fit and forget. Easy to adjust strap at the rear. Often has that 'no-helmet' feel that you have to check you have it on.

Slightly odd bulbous lump at the front that I never got on with. Supposedly more aero than previous but hard to see how.

Ventilation excellent.

4.5 / 5

Giro Attack Shield 2014 -

Paid £130. 288g without shield (M), 320g with. So 80g more than a Prevail with glasses or 40g more than a 'normal' helmet.

Very comfortable, easy to adjust. Looks a bit odd without shield, better with. Carl Zeiss shield clicks on and off with 3 magnets. When you get the hang of it you can easily spin it from down to up with one hand on the move.

Noticeably quieter than Prevail, which points to better aero performance.

No issues with insects getting into vents (there are only 2), a pet hate of mine.

No issues with steaming or slipping sunglasses, but lens is susceptible to scratching.

Ventilation seems perfectly adequate. Have used in 28'C sunny days with no issues, but I feel the heat less than most.

4.5 / 5

CONCLUSION

Now use the Shield for most riding, unscientific tests suggests higher speed stuff may have improved a touch.

Would swap back to the Prevail for hot mountain climbs.

If the Attack could be made a bit lighter (sub 250g) then it would be even better.

thegreatdivide

Good reviews! :-)

On my second Prevail after the aforementioned off in your pedal thread. Head first into the ground and the front took the impact. Scuffed and squished a wee tad but it didn’t split/crack. I couldn’t be without one so bought the newer all black job with reflective stickers. As you say it’s ridiculously light and IMO it’s the perfect hot weather/climbing helmet. Do you not find that with the big vents any bugs just shoot out the back?

bernithebiker

thegreatdivide wrote:

Good reviews! :-)

On my second Prevail after the aforementioned off in your pedal thread. Head first into the ground and the front took the impact. Scuffed and squished a wee tad but it didn’t split/crack. I couldn’t be without one so bought the newer all black job with reflective stickers. As you say it’s ridiculously light and IMO it’s the perfect hot weather/climbing helmet. Do you not find that with the big vents any bugs just shoot out the back?

Good to hear they do their job! Never had a crash that's hit the helmet myself.

I find the bugs tend to get a bit stuck before they can get out*, so you hear a lot of buzzing. Being folically challenged, I really fear a scalp sting!

*Prevail

thegreatdivide

I too am a baldy b*stard. Still to be stung on the napper...

Grill

That picture confirms that the Air Attack is the biggest chopper helmet on the market.

In regards to getting stung, just wear a cycling cap. Stops weird tanlines too.

on-yer-bike

Grill wrote:

That picture confirms that the Air Attack is the biggest chopper helmet on the market.

what does this mean?

Grill

It means I like myself far too much to ever wear one. The fact that it's not that aero (which doesn't matter for 99.9% of people who buy it) is secondary to the fact that it makes you look like a 60 year old Russian skier perusing the slopes of Courchevel.

bernithebiker

Grill wrote:

It means I like myself far too much to ever wear one. The fact that it's not that aero (which doesn't matter for 99.9% of people who buy it) is secondary to the fact that it makes you look like a 60 year old Russian skier perusing the slopes of Courchevel.

Horses for courses I guess. I don't like the new POC's or the new Kask beany type thing.

And much as I like the Prevail, it isn't really a thing of beauty.

And any proper TT helmet looks ridiculous but it does what it says on the tin I suppose (anyone want to buy a Giro Advantage 2? £70!)

Casco make a nice visor lid which is quite popular here in France, cropping up at more and more races.

Grill

The Synthe is faster than the Air Attack, so even Giro realised people don't want the skier look. I would never wear an Air Attack for a TT, my Javelin is much faster and fit for purpose.

bernithebiker

Grill wrote:

The Synthe is faster than the Air Attack, so even Giro realised people don't want the skier look. I would never wear an Air Attack for a TT, my Javelin is much faster and fit for purpose.

Well if you believe everything the manufacturer tells you (personally I wouldn't) here's what they say;

Giro says that testing in multiple wind tunnels has shown the Synthe to be its fastest road helmet in typical riding situations: with the helmet at a 30-degree angle from perfectly upright and in wind-averaged conditions that take a wide range of wind angles into account (although the Air Attack is apparently still faster in a more aggressive, 'head down' position).

I think the Synthe looks good, good blend of ideas, but doesn't seem that different to a normal helmet to me. Most manufacturers seem to claim that their helmet is the fastest, so probably best to be a bit sceptical.

The Synthe does not replace the Attack, and as Giro have just slightly redesigned the Attack, I don't think they've given up on it just yet. Presumably they must be selling as it took me 6 months to find one in stock somewhere.

Not sure why you think the Attack was designed for TT? It wasn't....? Probably a safe bet that a TT helmet is gonna be best for TT's.....

Grill

Why on earth would Giro shoot themselves in the foot by saying that the Synthe tests faster if it doesn't? No one (except for Froome) should ride head down, especially on the road so that metric isn't valid.

I don't think the Attack was designed for TT's, but I see them more often (along with the disgrace that is the Bambino). I was commenting on you saying that a TT helmet looks ridiculous. Were you using it on normal road rides or something?

on-yer-bike

I prefer the Russian skier look to having a rocket ship stuck on my head. It looks a bit OTT with the visor although its a very good idea. Ive had one for two years but people got the wrong idea in that they thought it was a race only helmet. Now may riders are wearing aero helmets, the Specialized Cav helmet is popular but looks terrible to my eye.

bernithebiker

Grill wrote:

Why on earth would Giro shoot themselves in the foot by saying that the Synthe tests faster if it doesn't? No one (except for Froome) should ride head down, especially on the road so that metric isn't valid.

I don't think the Attack was designed for TT's, but I see them more often (along with the disgrace that is the Bambino). I was commenting on you saying that a TT helmet looks ridiculous. Were you using it on normal road rides or something?

Who knows exactly what 'head down' means? Giro can say what they like, they're not going to shoot themselves in the foot.

Just about every new product from every manufacturer is the 'fastest' in some way. Who knows which piece of select data they're plucking from a test? You can't take as gospel everything they tell you.

Personally I struggle to see how air being channeled through lots of vents can be faster than air over a smooth surface, but hey, I'm not an aeronautical engineer (but I am a mechanical one!). Why would some TTers' tape up vents otherwise?

I wear (wore) the Advantage for the odd TT and tris that I did, but don't really do that anymore, hence it's gathering dust. But yes, it does look a bit silly.

I like the Attack because I never really found a pair of sunnies that I got on with, and this solves that for me. No more insects inside, it's comfy, and it 'feels' more aero to me (than the Prevail)

Grill

Aero mesh dude. Read all about it: http://pelotonmagazine.com/goods/is-faster-cooler-all-new-giro-synthe/

bernithebiker

Grill wrote:

Aero mesh dude. Read all about it: http://pelotonmagazine.com/goods/is-faster-cooler-all-new-giro-synthe/

OK. Aero mesh.

I bet the Formula 1 race teams would like to get their hands on some 'Aero Mesh'.

Hey, I've got some special cream. You rub it on, and it dissolves fat! I lost 10kg in a week! Only £100 a tube!

Anyway, you are clearly more 'Enlightened' than me, and if you say it's not cool, I shall just have to absorb that information, soak it up, and get on with my life as best I can.....

Grill

Good man. The Synthe will be available Q1 2015.

izza

Grill wrote:

Good man. The Synthe will be available Q1 2015.

Q4 2014 - just in time for Xmas.

matt-h

The giro attack shield is quite comedy.

Moonbiker

I like the look of this one 8)

Grill

Casco have had a similar design for snow for many years. It's still just as silly.

BrandonA

Comparing these two helmets seems a bit random to me as they seem designed for completely different types of riding.

I can't imagine that anyone would want to wear the Giro when they are cycling with anyone else as I imagine you'd get lots of negative comments, especially with the visor on.

The Giro needs to be compared against other TT/aero helmets and the Prevail against similar regular helmets.

bernithebiker

BrandonA wrote:

Comparing these two helmets seems a bit random to me as they seem designed for completely different types of riding.

I can't imagine that anyone would want to wear the Giro when they are cycling with anyone else as I imagine you'd get lots of negative comments, especially with the visor on.

The Giro needs to be compared against other TT/aero helmets and the Prevail against similar regular helmets.

I simply went from one to the other, and thought I'd share my thoughts on that. Sorry for any offence caused.

I often ride in a group of 20 to 30 and everyone likes the helmet. 2 riders have the Casco shown above, which seems to be more popular in France.

And a Cat 1 race winner last week wears an Attack, so can't be that bad.

Think it's been established that the Attack is not intended as a TT helmet.

i intend to wear both the Attack or the Prevail depending on ride / conditions.

Colinthecop

I'm holding out for the Prevail pic too... Do I have to wait much longer...?

Brailsford Bad

Grill wrote:

It means I like myself far too much to ever wear one. The fact that it's not that aero (which doesn't matter for 99.9% of people who buy it) is secondary to the fact that it makes you look like a 60 year old Russian skier perusing the slopes of Courchevel.

Just 1 average Joe bike riders opinion I'm afraid. If you have never worn one then you can't comment on its use.

I've got one and its one of the best helmets I've owned, alongside TT helmets and top end road helmets.

Grill

And yet it isn't faster than any proper TT helmet and on the road there are dozens of lighter, cheaper and better ventilated option. 'Best' for you means nothing when making a decision based upon concrete metrics.

bernithebiker

Grill wrote:

And yet it isn't faster than any proper TT helmet and on the road there are dozens of lighter, cheaper and better ventilated option. 'Best' for you means nothing when making a decision based upon concrete metrics.

Pointless trying to argue. For Grill, opinion = fact.

bernithebiker

Colinthecop wrote:

I'm holding out for the Prevail pic too... Do I have to wait much longer...?

Sorry, it's in Majorca!

Brailsford Bad

Grill wrote:

And yet it isn't faster than any proper TT helmet and on the road there are dozens of lighter, cheaper and better ventilated option. 'Best' for you means nothing when making a decision based upon concrete metrics.

And yet those lighter, cheaper and better ventilated options aren't as aero. Its no good quoting concrete metrics if your foundation is based on sand.

The Attack doesnt claim to be a TT helmet, so again, its just your ego talking based against, as you say, concrete metrics. Only my concrete metrics are based on experience and an educated understanding of what im talking about, having actually worn and ridden with one.

Just because you've masturbated over a picture of a Page 3 model it doesnt mean you've had sex with her.

Grill

Aren't as aero? Really? So your definition of 'best' is aero? Not only is an 'aero' road helmet a waste for everyone who isn't a world class sprinter or riding track, but as I've shown in previous posts Giro's own Synthe is lighter, better ventilated and more aero (haven't looked at price) with the added bonus that you don't look like a skier. The Evade also fits this category. Now you can choose to believe that Giro's testing counts for nothing, or you can concede the point that you like the Air Attack because you liked the look and now own one.

Jez mon

Can't we take a more moderate view. Firstly on the data

Considering one of the richest F1 teams had severe problems with their wind tunnel data a few years ago, I'd be wary of a bicycle helmet manufacturer's data being 100% accurate. Besides, anything which is quoted as XX% faster, with a very brief explanation of the test which produced this value is kinda meaninglessness. What you can be sure of though is that Giro wouldn't have published the results of a test that showed their new helmet to be slower than a previous one.

As for whether an aero helmet matters...well the same laws of physics apply to your weekend warrior as to your mark Cavendish. Your steady speed is a function of how much force your legs are putting out, vs. rolling resistance and drag. Reduce your drag, increase your speed.

Colinthecop

bernithebiker wrote:

Sorry, it's in Majorca!

Could you borrow one from a shop for a few seconds...?

The red and white one if possible. 8)